Colony Collapse Disorder Needs More Attention

Although there have been occasional articles concerning "colony collapse disorder" (CCD) in domestic bee hives it doesn't seem to have risen to serious public concern. It may in fact impact our lives (and bank accounts) in a more critical manner than realized. With the rapidly growing population it seems unwise to ignore any threat to the food supply. Albert Einstein said, "if the bee disappeared off the surface of the globe, man would have only four years to live".While that statement may be a bit of hyperbole it isn't far from the truth.

/snip/Apian atrophy is a more immediate threat than global warming, and can be solved, yet has barely risen onto the policy radar screen. This is surely a misjudgment./snip/

...animal pollination is essential for nuts, melons and berries, and plays varying roles in citrus fruits, apples, onions, broccoli, cabbage, sprouts, courgettes, peppers, aubergines, avocados, cucumbers, coconuts, tomatoes and broad beans, as well as coffee and cocoa.This is the fastest growing and most valuable part of the global farm economy. Between 80pc and 90pc of pollination comes from domesticated honey bees./snip/

Leaked documents from the Environmental Protection Agency confirm that clothianidin used on corn seed is "highly toxic", may pose a "long-term risk" to bees, and that previous tests were flawed.

"The way humanity manages or mismanages its nature-based assets, including pollinators, will in part define our collective future in the 21st century," said Achim Steiner, UN Under-Secretary-General and UNEP Executive Director."The fact is that of the 100 crop species that provide 90 per cent of the world's food, over 70 are pollinated by bees."Human beings have fabricated the illusion that in the 21st century they have the technological prowess to be independent of nature."Bees underline the reality that we are more, not less, dependent on nature's services in a world of close to seven billion people.It looks like the naked ape is continuing to foul its nest – now I have to go gather some nuts and berries and throw feces at the neighbor. ________________________________________________